This thesis concerns the reflection of ancient Mediterranean piracy in textual evidence and the archaeological record. It also seeks why Mediterranean piracy occurred: which motives could have...Show moreThis thesis concerns the reflection of ancient Mediterranean piracy in textual evidence and the archaeological record. It also seeks why Mediterranean piracy occurred: which motives could have prompted people in the past to commit piratical activities? The central case-study in this thesis is concerned with the Illyrian pirates, operating in the Adriatic during Hellenistic times. First, the Illyrian pirates as they appear in the classical texts by Appian and Polybius are examined. The Illyrian pirates appear in these texts in relation to the Illyrian Wars. The texts provide us with two distinct motives, namely an economic and a political one. Archaeological evidence pertaining to Illyrian piracy is less direct. Through the methodology used in this thesis it is determined that certain types of archaeological evidence can point to piracy. The coin hoards found in Risan and Mazin, towns in Montenegro and Croatia respectively, contain coins which have a diversity in origin. This diversity in origin, called a conspicuous diversity, might indicate a buried piratical booty. In this case, piracy was committed for economic reasons. A burnt layer found in the ancient city of Rhizon is dated to 229 BC, the year of the first Illyrian war. According to Polybius, the pirate Queen Teuta fled to Rhizon and made it a stronghold during the war. The burnt layer points out a political reason for piracy, namely war. The burnt layer combined with the geographical location of Rhizon make a case for Rhizon being a binge-economy serving pirates. Proxy data, such as amphorae and coins, indicate an economic complexity characterized by long distance trade. Such a complexity is essential for piracy to flourish, since it provides the pirates with victims to attack. Modern day piracy in the Strait of Malacca committed by Somali pirates has much more complicated roots, but its reasons are still political and economic. Besides piracy for economic benefits, they also commit piracy to revolt against the current political situation. This might also be the case with the Illyrian pirates, since their political situation was similar to that of Somalia. The Illyrians were divided into tribes, with constant wars and without political unity.Show less
